Introducing Yachtmaster Ocean Theory from 4th November. Top of the range RYA theory course and bookings now being taken
Based on the Tyne, Yachtmaster™ and RYA Instructor Melvyn Wallhead provides RYA Practical and Theory Courses locally.
‘Day Skipper’ and ‘Coastal/Yachtmaster™ Offshore’ are popular tickets and can be studied in a warm, comfortable and level (!) room of a recently built Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne (NE6 5HN). Classes are small, maximum size 8, ensuring individual attention.
The emphasis is on fun with interactive learning, using some of the equipment you will be faced with when onboard a sailing yacht.
Practical Courses and Short Trips involve a mixture of learning and fun, to enjoy the summer and the scenery. They start from Royal Quays marina in North Shields, which has 24 hour access to the river Tyne, close to its mouth into the sea.
I have a quality 11 metre Hallberg Rassy yacht and will be pleased to have you onboard as crew (or as aspiring skippers!) Try Hallberg Rassy and search for HR36
Royal Yachting Association Online Course
Essential Navigation & Seamanship
Do this at home or anywhere you have access to the web. Ideal for those without the time to spare for a class or private tuition.
This is an introduction to navigation and is done through RYA Interactive, where you can take the Course which is split into modules and work through these at your own speed. You can practise the more complex before having your online test. It is estimated that about 6 to 10 hours of online study are involved. ‘Now that I have completed Day Skipper, I would certainly recommend the online course, which provided a good grounding for me, without this, I would have found Day Skipper extremely challenging’ – Darren
Find out more through RYA Interactive and apply through myself to participate. RYA Interactive click the red button to create a new account, selecting Northumbria Sailing from the RYA List of training centres.
Cost £95 plus RYA Course package (£26) and postage, if any. (still available in sessions or tailored tuition)
Royal Yachting Association Theory Courses
These are usually held at the 2009 built HBC Life Centre, Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5HN (54°58’50.05N, 01°34’53.14W) which provides comfortable surroundings, on the level, and makes chartwork a lot easier!
Shore Based Courses take place Evenings, Saturdays and Weekdays with a mixture according to the aspiring sailors’ commitments and include a visit to see the sailing yacht in Royal Quays.
RYA Day Skipper Theory
Traditionally the popular place to start, leading to attaining RYA Day Skipper Practical, the key to bare boat charter.
Minimum time to be spent is 42 hours and includes a written and course assessment (no examination) before attaining the certificate. Subjects to be covered include; Nautical terms, rope work, charts, navigation, Safety Regulations to include collision avoidance, anchoring, tides, electronic navigation, weather and passage planning.
No previous experience is needed and this is for someone keen to either acquire further knowledge or becoming more committed to the whole experience. Cost £325. Daytime, 0930-1430 October 14, 15, 17, 21st, 22nd, 24th, November 4 & 5th RYA Day Skipper Theory
Autumn dates, provisionally; Evenings/Saturdays, September 16, 18, 21st, 23rd, 25, 26th, October 3, 5, 9, 10 & 14th
‘Thanks for a well run Course which I have really enjoyed’ – Chris.’I found the rooms and facilities excellent…. the classroom (hands on aids) also being a great help’ – Tony, ‘I would highly recommend you to anyone who is seeking to learn about sailing or to gain any RYA certification’ – Stuart.
Coastal/Yachtmaster™ Offshore Theory
Now we are getting more serious. Sailors will want more in depth knowledge in preparation to owning or skippering a boat, or just that they have realised, like so many before them, that there is a lot involved here and risks should be kept to an absolute minimum.
Time to be spent is 44 hours and includes a written and course assessment before attaining the certificate. You will also have an opportunity to visit my yacht in Royal Quays. Subjects to be covered include those from the Day Skipper syllabus, but much more in depth. Included onboard – do you know how to lift a casualty out of the water? How to rig a jury rudder? Cost £350. Next class January 2014 RYA Coastal Yachtmaster Theory
Sailors should have already acquired knowledge up to Day Skipper standard.
‘I would recommend your course to anyone’ – Fiona.
Are there any Extras?
Navigation equipment is provided but extra are the RYA Pack, which includes the certificate!, and Training Almanac, total cost currently £41.
Any Gifts from Teacher?
Yes, a visit to his boat (not sailing though)
Yachtmaster™ Ocean Theory
Navigate as it used to be done, by the sun and stars. Get to handle a real sextant and find out how to locate your position out at sea, far, far away from land. Learn also how to provision a boat for a long passage and also about weather conditions you can expect. How to deal with hurricanes, heaven forbid that we shall have an opportunity to put this into practise!
The Course is available as an evening class and also intensive.
See what relevance sextant navigating can still have in today’s world of the GPS. Cost £425 plus £25 RYA Pack. Next Course; November 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 21, 23, 25, 27 & 28th RYA Yachtmaster Ocean (two bookings already!)
I can’t do these times and am in a hurry!
Then a Tailored Timetable with one to one tuition could be for you. Costs £525 (£850 a couple) for Day Skipper, £550 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ and £695 for the Ocean – ‘I found the (RYA DS) course tuition excellent, delivered with the benefit of years of practical experience and backed up with many real life examples of why a good understanding of the theory is critical in practical situations.’ – Simon (DS Tailored Timetable)
How do I Book?
£100 confirms the reservation with the balance due six weeks before the start of the Course. Cheque made payable to ‘MSF Wallhead’, or cash, to 1 Anscomb Gardens, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7BB. Bank details for direct transfer on request.
Cancellation
Any by myself will involve a full refund.